Stop and think for a moment why is it that one person is able to do as the Bible says and love thy neighbor while another person loathes his neighbor and steals from him. One person sees all men are created equal and that life is a precious gift of God, while another person judge’s people by the color of their skin and hates them for no other. Our thoughts develop our character and determine our destiny.

We must understand that thousands upon thousands of thoughts pass through our minds on a daily basis. Some of these thoughts we rebuke and get rid of them as quickly as they come. Other thoughts we store in the capacity of the mind called our memory for consideration at a later time. Then there are the thoughts that embed themselves in our conscience. There are several thoughts stored here but for the sake of this post, we would focus on perverted thoughts.

It is these perverted thoughts that we must get rid of and replace with righteous thoughts for if we don’t it is these thoughts which fashion our character and ultimately determine our destiny. In order to develop a morally and spiritually successful life that is filled with meaning, direction, purpose, fulfillment, and love we must be able to keep the devil from having control of our minds.

How do we do that specifically?

First, you must guard what you are conceiving in your heart! You may say I don’t have any bad thoughts, but have you checked your heart? The Bible says “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt. 12:34). For anything to come out of your mouth or your actions, you must have thought about it somehow. Well, the conception then starts with your heart.

How can we then guard our thoughts? How can we then watch what is in our hearts? It’s simple but not simple at the same time.

1. Check your consumption. I’m not talking about food but rather media consumption among many other types of consumption. The media is perpetuating everything sinful and perverted unto us. The more you watch these ungodly shows, it starts to corrupt your heart and eventually your mind and then the rest follows. Do not for a second think that you can think something and that’s not you. A mango does not bear apple fruits so whatever you think about or whatever you allow to your heart and your subconscious, that’s the kind of fruit you’d bear. Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he“. Ouch! No need for explanation here!
2. Understand that, we actually can change anything even our thoughts! We need to understand regardless of our past life, regardless of our current conditions, regardless of our perception of what the future seems to hold that God is able to change our way of thinking, change our way of acting, create new desires and passions within us, change our incorrect concept of Him, make impure thoughts pure, and give us a brand new outlook on life. However, this requires letting Him have control of our mind. Put yourself in the care of God! Some people think that whatever is going on with them in their minds cannot be changed by God but let me assure you “Yes He can! *in Barrack Obama’s voice* I’m serious, be it perverted thoughts, anxiety, suicidal thoughts etc. just “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”1 Peter 5:7

The devil tries to use mind control because he knows that whoever has control of the mind has control of the body. He understands that to have mind control of someone or a group of people can cause mass destruction. You see, a mindset that is impregnated with the spirit of hopelessness, helplessness, depression, discouragement, and anxiety that causes a person to accept as unchangeable and irrevocable a situation in their lives even though they know it goes contrary to the Will of God. See the devil knows that when we believe something in our minds it not only alters the way we perceive a certain thing but how we begin to act and live according to what we believe.